STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

luckylily · Gucci

random car care question

Teresa · Kate Spade

i dont know, my dad tells me the same thing (take it to the dealership) i know they (jeep) give us free oil change, but other than that i guess they just know that specific make and model better b/c its the only one they work with. If I were you I would just take it to the place close by. (JMO)

HeatherLynn · Gucci

If you have a recommendation of a place that others have gone and liked I would take it there. Most people go to the dealership (which is more expensive) because they don't know where else to take it that is reputable. Dealerships are the easy option therefore most people go there.

Mandy · Kate Spade

I'd take it to the place that your neighbors have recommended unless having a non-dealer work on it would negate any kind of warranty you have.

Suasoria · Chanel

A tune-up is not a big deal - a trained monkey can do it. Unless you're under warranty and this sort of service is free at the dealership, there's no sense in going there. You'll just end up paying 25-50% more and have a major hassle on your hands with taxi rides and whatnot.

When and if you need something more important, like replacing the alternator, you can think about taking it to a dealership. On the other hand, it's always a good idea to develop a trusting and friendly relationship with a mechanic so that when you REALLY need help you'll be taken care of.

luckylily · Gucci

Thanks everyone. I dropped it off at the local place this morning.

blubirde · Chanel

You did the right thing. Let me just rant here for a minute: dealerships are crap. Total crap. I don't know how it was back when our parents used to try to get cars fixed but now they're overpriced, underqualified, and in a hurry to make a buck.

I had a few friends who worked at a car dealership when we were in high school as drivers, greeters, coffee getters, whatever. And the stories they tell about how your car gets treated while it's there is horrifying. Dealerships have less incentive to treat your car nicely because they deal in quantity. Everyone who is under warranty is going to bring their car there and think it's the only place to take a vehicle. Independent places have to work a lot harder to prove their worth to you since they don't have "Ford" stapled on their forehead (for example).

If it's under warranty, go to the dealership if it's a service that will be covered. If it's not or if it's something that you'll have to pay for no matter what (like an oil change), avoid those places as much as possible. Your car will thank you.

Cortney1982 · Chanel

I take mine to the dealership. I still have to pay for everything even though it's under warranty. I take it there so if something gets messed up, it's their fault. Also Saturns aren't as popular as Ford of Honda so I take it where they are really familiar with the car.

pollyjean23 · Marc Jacobs

Mandy wrote:

I'd take it to the place that your neighbors have recommended unless having a non-dealer work on it would negate any kind of warranty you have.

Ditto

bex · Chanel

luckylily wrote:

Thanks everyone. I dropped it off at the local place this morning.

good for you! if i didn't have a stupid foreign car that someone else knew something about- i would totally forgo the dealership. the dealership is sucky and they have a bad attitude.

but with your car- totally go to the cheaper local places! unless, of course, you have a warranty- then totally go to the dealership until the warranty is up! wink